Chickens Birds 
The chicken’s feet are fitted for scratching, be- 
cause it finds much of its food on or in the ground. 
Its beak is sharp and horny, and fitted for picking 
up seeds and insects. For this reason it is best for 
the chicken to scratch about in the dirt, and live as 
naturally as possible. 
HOUSE 
The coop should be warm, clean and well venti- 
lated. It should contain low perches, for when the 
chicken is no longer protected by its brooding moth- 
er, it naturally goes to roost at night. The perches 
should be movable so that they can be taken out 
and cleaned. The coop should have windows, which 
may be covered with muslin instead of glass, as this 
will admit the air and prevent a draft. The house 
should be constructed so thatit may becleaned often. 
When the chicken is small, the bed must be of 
finely cut straw or chaff, and must always be dry. 
Later rye straw may be used. Clean and dry quar- 
ters are absolutely necessary for the health of the 
chicken. 
FOOD 
A young chicken should not be fed until at least 
twenty-four hours after it comes from the egg, for it 
is provided with food by the yolk which it is then 
absorbing. For the first meal, bread-crumbs moist- 
ened with sweet milk is recommended. Hard boiled 
egg minced fine and mixed with an equal amount of 
bread-crumbs forms an excellent food for the first 
day. After that, give oatmeal, or rolled oats, crack- 
ed wheat and cracked corn, with a little millet. 
Grit is necessary to help the chicken digest its food. 
We chew our food until it is soft and fine before 
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